Why Have A Stand-Alone SBA Credit Policy
From the last blog, we discussed having a Plan for SBA lending starting with a stand-alone SBA credit policy. Let’s continue the discussion on the mandate for an SBA Credit Policy.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that the SBA credit policy forms the foundation for your SBA lending program.
SBA requires it.
Regulators will want to see it.
It tells the BDO what types of deals and industries you are willing to consider and possibly those type of loans that you know you will never consider.
It says where (geographically) you want to lend. This is very important in maintaining and improving your CRA.
It will outline collateral requirements along with maximum loan amortizations and maximum pricing.
Let’s not forget the importance of establishing SBA loan minimum debt coverages and how that is to be calculated.
And you simply cannot meet the SBA compliance requirements if you do not cover the critical aspects of SBA credit that could cause the loan’s government guarantee to be jeopardized. In fact, the SBA Credit Policy when implemented will ensure SBA compliance.
A good Business Development Officer (BDO) will want to review your credit policy to ensure he can be successful with the type and pricing of generated loan requests. A well written credit policy will actually help in your recruiting efforts.
But having an SBA Credit Policy will not help you establish and grow an SBA lending platform IF your Chief Credit Officer has not approved and shown support for SBA lending. Without the CCO support and encouragement, you will be wasting your time attempting SBA lending.
“The Top 5 Requirements to Starting or Expanding an SBA Lending Platform” written by Tim Terry, CEO of SBA Advisors.
For more on creating an SBA Credit Policy, please contact this author at Tim@SBAadvisors.com
